Sam Houston: Bearkats poised to get elusive national title

Plastered on Sam Houston State's jerseys this summer was a message players are literally carrying with them.

"On the back, they had 10 percent," SHSU coach K.C. Keeler said. "The theme was we're 90 percent of the way there. That last 10 percent, that's really hard. Everyone wants to get that last 10 percent, and we just need to find a way to get it."

That 10 percent is indicative of so much with this program. The Bearkats need just 10 more percent to get back to the FCS national championship game. They've been 10 percent away from being the next big name in FCS.

SHSU is primed for another run with seven starters back on offense and nine back on defense. The Sporting News believes that's good enough to rank the Bearkats No. 2 in the country heading into the season behind vaunted North Dakota State, winner of five straight national titles.

All SHSU has done is string together a few oh-so-close seasons. The Bearkats have been in the FCS semifinals the last two years. They played for a national title in 2011 and 2012 - losing both times to North Dakota State. The one down year ended with a second-round playoff loss to Southeastern Louisiana in 2013.

Otherwise, how many teams have been as good as the Bearkats? Of course, North Dakota State sticks out, and Keeler doesn't run from it.

"We talk about North Dakota State more than people might think that we would," Keeler said. "Because we identify what they've done as special and the reason why they've done it."

SHSU's best players are all juniors. It starts with defensive end P.J. Hall, who racked up 11 sacks with 22 tackles for loss last year and is one of the best players in the country. He could end his career as the program's all-time sack leader.

Hall dealt with some injuries this offseason and gained some weight that Keeler said he'll shed. But even an out-of-shape Hall is capable of things few are.

"The funny thing is at 300 pounds, he was out there, and they were doing some 10-yard sprints, and he was going step-for-step with probably the quickest kid on our team, Yedidiah Louis," Keeler said of Hall. "That's the freakish talent and freakish ability he has."

Louis' 71 catches for 994 yards were both team highs last year, and he scored seven touchdowns. Expect him and star running back Corey Avery to keep one of FCS' most productive offenses humming.

The Bearkats had two 1,000-yard passers last year. One, Jared Johnson, is now hoping to be the point man at UTSA. The other, Jeremiah Briscoe, has assumed control of this team.

Keeler noted the difference in Briscoe this offseason compared to last. He respectfully never stepped on Johnson's toes because it was Johnson's team. Now Briscoe has come out of his shell.

"Since JJ's left, you could see a very unique leadership dynamic happening right now with this team, and Jeremiah has his thumb on the pulse of everything going on," Keeler said.